Rachel and I got up early and took the bus to Wanaka where she was due to start work at a ski resort in a few days and I was going to travel on my own again.
Once more the bus driver was very friendly and informative. He gave us a guided tour of the region we were passing through and he stopped at various points for us to take photographs of the most breathtaking views.
I just cannot believe just how beautiful the south island of New Zealand is. The further I travel in it the better it seems to become. At Thunder Falls we saw a rainbow glistening through the waterfall, it was magical to see.
Being prepared I packed a flask of hot water and made us cups of coffee by the roadside when the bus stopped for photo breaks !!Nothing like a nice cup of coffee!!!
I was blown away by the beauty of lake Hawea on route to Wanaka.
The town of Wanaka is the gateway to Mt Aspiring national park, a mountainous area in the north western Otago and southern Westland that was earmarked as a National Park in 1964 and named after its highest peak, Mt Aspiring (3027m). It has more than 100 glaciers and sheer mountains and it covers 3500sq km of the Southern Alps, from the Haast River in the north to its border with Fiordland National park in the south. Lake Wanaka is so beautiful, surrounded by snow capped mountains.
We were dropped off out our respective hostels.
I was in a dorm with three other women and we had a great view of the mountains in the distance from the window.
Rachel had found out that she had a few days before she had to start her training, so the next day we hired a car and drove to Dunedin, about three and a half hours drive from Wanaka. Over the most glorious countryside and mountain roads.
Dunedin is the south islands second largest city after Christchurch, and the home of New Zealands first university.There is a statue of Robert Burns in the centre, because the place was founded by Scottish settlers.
We had a wander round Dunedin and saw the historic railway station
and various churches, before stopping for a coffee in the area called ,The Octagon.
But we were not particularly impressed with the place. We had been told that the worlds steepest road, Baldwin street, was in Dundedin.We decided to check it out. Well if this is the steepest road..I am a Dutch uncle!!!
(we have since heard that is is now being described as the steepest road in New Zealand ..which is a bit more like it!).As we drove back to Wanaka the roads became quite icy over the mountain pass, so we took our time. Later that night we watched the second England V all Blacks game...guess what England lost again!!!
SAD FACES BECAUSE ENGLAND LOST!
Luckily we found the most amazing bar with outdoor fireplaces. We sat and had a good natter and a couple of gin and tonics to drown our sorrows.
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